CN112368531B

CN112368531B - Refrigerated cargo carriage cargo sensor

Info

Publication number: CN112368531B
Application number: CN201980042806.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·纳什
Original assignee: Carrier Corp
Current assignee: Carrier Corp
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2019-07-16
Publication date: 2023-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-16
Also published as: DK3824231T3; WO2020018543A2; SG11202012168UA; US11662139B2; EP3824231A2; EP3824231B1; US20210215418A1; WO2020018543A3; CN112368531A

Abstract

Cargo (22) detection system for a refrigerated cargo compartment (10), comprising: a cargo sensor (50) body configured to detect the presence of cargo (22) in a refrigerated cargo compartment (10); and a sensor bracket (56) configured for securing the cargo sensor (50) body at the refrigeration unit (24) of the refrigerated cargo compartment (10). The temperature sensor (72) is located at the cargo sensor (50) body and is configured to detect a temperature of the cargo sensor (50) body. A temperature controller (74) is operatively connected to the temperature sensor (72) and configured to activate the cargo sensor (50) body to collect data when a temperature of the cargo sensor (50) body is above a threshold.

Description

Refrigerated cargo carriage cargo sensor

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to the field of refrigeration systems. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to refrigeration of truck cargo compartments for storage and transport of cargo.

Background

Typical refrigerated cargo compartments or refrigerated truck trailers, such as those used to transport cargo by sea, rail or road, are cargo compartments that are modified to include a refrigeration unit located at one end of the cargo compartment. The refrigeration unit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator connected in series by refrigerant lines in a closed refrigerant circuit according to a known refrigerant vapor compression cycle. The evaporator is at least partially located in a compartment that requires cooling, such as the cargo compartment of a truck or trailer. The condenser and compressor are located outside the compartment. The cargo compartment air passes over the coils of the evaporator to boil refrigerant flowing over the evaporator coils, whereupon heat is absorbed from the air in the air conditioning compartment to cool the air conditioning compartment. The gaseous refrigerant then flows to the compressor for compression therein. A power unit including an engine drives the compressor of the refrigeration unit and is typically driven by diesel fuel, or in other applications by natural gas. In many truck/trailer transport refrigeration systems, the compressor is driven by the engine shaft through a belt drive or through a mechanical shaft to a shaft link. In other systems, the engine drives a generator to produce electrical energy, which in turn drives a compressor.

In a typical transport refrigeration unit, one or more cargo sensors may be located in the cargo compartment to detect the presence of cargo in the compartment. In some applications, the use of such sensors is limited because frost or ice particles may accumulate on the sensor due to low temperature conditions in the cargo compartment. When ice accumulates on the sensor, the sensor may become inoperable or, alternatively, may simply detect ice accumulation, falsely indicating the presence of cargo in the cargo compartment.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a cargo detection system for a refrigerated cargo compartment comprises: a cargo sensor body configured to detect the presence of cargo in a refrigerated cargo compartment; and a sensor bracket configured to secure the cargo sensor body to a refrigeration unit of the refrigerated cargo compartment. The temperature sensor is located at the cargo sensor body and is configured to detect a temperature of the cargo sensor body. The temperature controller is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and configured to activate the cargo sensor body to collect data when the temperature of the cargo sensor body is above a threshold.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the threshold is zero degrees celsius.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the sensor mount includes a mount base at which the cargo sensor body is secured, and a plurality of mount legs extending from the mount base to at least partially define an air gap between the sensor mount and the refrigeration unit when the sensor mount is mounted to the refrigeration unit.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the sensor bracket and the cargo sensor body are formed as a unitary element.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the cargo sensor body includes an infrared sensor.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the sensor mount includes a mount opening configured to improve airflow to the cargo sensor body.

In another embodiment, a refrigeration assembly for a refrigerated cargo compartment includes: a refrigeration unit having an evaporator; a defrosting heater configured to defrost the evaporator; and a cargo detection system, secured to the refrigeration unit, including a cargo sensor. The defrost heater and the cargo sensor are positioned such that activation of the defrost heater increases the temperature of the cargo sensor.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, a temperature sensor is located at the cargo sensor and configured to detect a temperature of the cargo sensor, and a temperature controller is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and configured to activate the cargo sensor for collecting data when the temperature of the cargo sensor is above a threshold.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the cargo sensor is located above the defrost heater.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the cargo sensor comprises: a cargo sensor body configured to detect the presence of cargo in a refrigerated cargo compartment; and a sensor bracket configured to fix the cargo sensor body at the refrigeration unit.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the sensor mount includes a mount base at which the cargo sensor body is secured and a plurality of mount legs extending from the mount base to at least partially define an air gap between the sensor mount and the refrigeration unit when the sensor mount is mounted to the refrigeration unit.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the cargo sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

In yet another embodiment, a refrigerated cargo compartment includes a cargo compartment and a refrigeration unit including an evaporator, a defrost heater configured to defrost the evaporator, and a cargo detection system secured to the refrigeration unit. The cargo detection system includes a cargo sensor, wherein the defrost heater and the cargo sensor are positioned such that activation of the defrost heater increases the temperature of the cargo sensor.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the cargo sensor is located between the defrost heater and the roof of the cargo compartment.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the cargo sensor includes a cargo sensor body configured to detect the presence of cargo in the refrigerated cargo compartment, and a sensor mount configured to secure the cargo sensor body at the refrigeration unit.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments, the sensor bracket includes a bracket base at which the cargo sensor body is secured, and a plurality of bracket legs extending from the bracket base to at least partially define an air gap between the sensor and the refrigeration unit when the sensor bracket is mounted to the refrigeration unit.

Drawings

The following description should not be considered limiting in any way. Referring to the drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a refrigerated transport cargo compartment;

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of an embodiment of a refrigerated transport cargo compartment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cargo sensor located at a refrigeration unit;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cargo sensor at the refrigeration unit; and is

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cargo sensor support.

Detailed Description

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method is presented herein by way of illustration, not limitation, with reference to the figures.

An embodiment of a refrigerated cargo bed 10 is shown in fig. 1. The cargo compartment 10 is formed as a generally rectangular structure having a roof 12, a directly opposed floor 14, opposed side walls 16 and a front wall 18. The cargo compartment 10 also includes one or more doors (not shown) at a rear wall 20 opposite the front wall 18. The cargo compartment 10 is configured to maintain cargo 22 located inside the cargo compartment 10 at a selected temperature through the use of a refrigeration unit 24 located at the cargo compartment 10. The cargo compartment 10 is movable and is used to transport cargo 22 by, for example, truck, train, or ship. The refrigeration unit 24 is located at the front wall 18 and includes a compressor 26, a condenser 28, an expansion valve 30, an evaporator 32, and an evaporator fan 34 (shown in fig. 2), among other auxiliary components.

Referring to fig. 2, the refrigeration unit 24 blows a return airflow 36 over the evaporator 32 via the evaporator fan 34, thereby cooling the airflow 36 to a selected temperature, and pushes the cooled return airflow 36 (now referred to as supply air 38) through the kick panel assembly 40 into the cargo compartment 10, for example, through openings 42 in one or more T-bars 44 extending along the floor 14 of the cargo compartment 10, to cool the cargo 22. As shown in fig. 2, the kick plate assembly 40 includes a kick plate 46 that forms a discharge cavity 48 at the bottom of the refrigeration unit 24 to evenly distribute the supply air 38 into the T-bars 44 along the width of the cargo bed 10. In some embodiments, the kick plate assembly 40 and the discharge cavity 48 are located below the refrigeration unit 24, between the refrigeration unit 24 and the floor 14 of the cargo compartment 10.

The cargo sensor 50 is located in the cargo compartment 10 and is positioned and configured to detect the presence of cargo 22 in the cargo compartment 10. In one embodiment, the cargo sensor 50 is a non-contact infrared sensor, while in other embodiments, other types of sensors may be utilized. Referring now to fig. 3, the refrigeration unit 24 must be periodically defrosted to maintain the performance of the refrigeration unit 24. In some embodiments, during operation of the cargo compartment 10, the refrigeration unit 24 automatically defrosts in the range of every 8-24 hours. In one embodiment, the refrigeration unit 24 defrosts every 18 hours. In addition, the refrigeration unit 24 may be defrosted at other intervals or as needed by manually initiating a defrost operation. As such, the refrigeration unit 24 includes a defrost heater 52, the defrost heater 52 being positioned to defrost the evaporator 32 and other components of the refrigeration unit 24. In some embodiments, the defrost heater 52 is located at or near a top end 54 of the refrigeration unit 24. As shown in fig. 3, the cargo sensor 50 is located at the refrigeration unit 24 above the defrost heater 52. In some embodiments, the cargo sensor 50 is located between the defrost heater 52 and the roof 12 (best shown in fig. 2) of the cargo compartment 10. The location of the cargo sensor 50 above the defrost heater 52 allows the cargo sensor 50 to utilize the heat generated by the defrost heater 52 during defrost operations to reduce any ice build-up at the cargo sensor 50.

Referring to fig. 4, an embodiment of a cargo sensor 50 is shown, the cargo sensor 50 including features for improving thermal cycling around the cargo sensor 50 and thus improving removal of ice accretion during operation of the defrost heater 52. The cargo sensor 50 includes a sensor body 54 and a sensor bracket 56 to which the sensor body 54 is mounted. The sensor bracket 56 supports the sensor body 54 and is used to mount the cargo sensor 50 at the refrigeration unit 24.

The sensor holder 56 includes a base portion 58 and one or more holder legs 60 extending from the base portion 58. The bracket legs 60 extend downwardly from the base portion 58 such that, when mounted to the refrigeration unit 24, the base portion 58 is offset from the refrigeration unit 24 and defines an air gap 62 between the refrigeration unit 24 and the cargo sensor 50 to improve air circulation around the cargo sensor 50 for improved defrost performance when the defrost heater 52 is in operation. Referring to fig. 5, in some embodiments, the base 58 has a base opening 64 such that the sensor body 54 is directly exposed to the airflow through the air gap 62 to further improve the defrost performance of the cargo sensor 50.

Referring again to fig. 4, in some embodiments, the sensor body 54 is mounted to the sensor bracket 56 at the base 58 by a plurality of bolts 66. The use of a plurality of bolts 66 is merely exemplary, and one skilled in the art will readily recognize that other elements, such as screws, snaps, clips, for example, that secure sensor body 54 to sensor mount 56 may be utilized. In another embodiment, sensor holder 56 and sensor body 54 are formed as a unitary structure, wherein sensor holder 56 is integrally formed with sensor body 54.

When installed in the cargo box 10, the cargo sensor 50 is operatively connected to a refrigeration unit control system 68 and a communication system 70, the communication system 70 outputting the status of the cargo 22 to, for example, a cargo box operator or cargo owner. The cargo sensor 50 also includes a temperature sensor 72 and a temperature controller 74. In operation, when the temperature sensor 72 detects a temperature of 0 degrees celsius or below 0 degrees celsius, the temperature controller 74 transmits a signal to the cargo sensor to stop collecting data, thereby preventing erroneous or incorrect data from being collected and transmitted. On the other hand, when the temperature sensor 72 detects that the temperature at the cargo sensor 50 exceeds 0 degrees celsius, the cargo sensor 50 will periodically detect the presence of cargo 22 and transmit data indicative of the cargo presence to the refrigeration unit control system 68, which in turn transmits the data via the communication system 70. In some embodiments, cargo sensor 50 detects cargo 22 at regular intervals (e.g., every 12 hours). The interval can be adjusted as desired by software.

The location of the cargo sensor 50 proximate to the defrost heater 52 improves the performance of the cargo sensor 50 by reducing or eliminating ice accumulation on the cargo sensor 50, thereby improving the performance of the cargo sensor 50. Further, the addition of the temperature sensor 72 and the temperature controller 74 at the cargo sensor 50 prevents erroneous or incorrect data from being collected and transmitted.

The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with measuring a particular number of devices based on the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cargo detection system for a refrigerated cargo compartment comprising:

a cargo sensor body configured to detect the presence of cargo in a refrigerated cargo compartment;

a sensor bracket configured to secure the cargo sensor body to a refrigeration unit of the refrigerated cargo compartment;

a temperature sensor disposed on the cargo sensor body configured to detect a temperature of the cargo sensor body; and

a temperature controller operatively connected to the temperature sensor and configured to activate the cargo sensor body to collect data when a temperature of the cargo sensor body is above a threshold.

2. The cargo detection system of claim 1, wherein the threshold is zero degrees celsius.

3. The cargo detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensor mount comprises:

a bracket base at which the cargo sensor body is fixed; and

a plurality of bracket legs extending from the bracket base to at least partially define an air gap between the sensor bracket and a refrigeration unit when the sensor bracket is mounted to the refrigeration unit.

4. The cargo detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensor bracket and the cargo sensor body are formed as a unitary element.

5. The cargo detection system of claim 1, wherein the cargo sensor body comprises an infrared sensor.

6. The cargo detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensor mount comprises a mount opening configured to improve airflow to the cargo sensor body.

7. A refrigeration assembly for refrigerating a cargo compartment comprising:

a refrigeration unit comprising:

an evaporator;

a defrosting heater configured to defrost the evaporator; and

the cargo detection system of any of claims 1-6, being secured to the refrigeration unit, comprising a cargo sensor;

wherein the defrost heater and the cargo sensor are arranged such that activation of the defrost heater increases the temperature of the cargo sensor.

8. The refrigeration assembly of claim 7, wherein the cargo sensor is disposed above the defrost heater.

9. The refrigeration assembly of claim 7, wherein the cargo sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

10. A refrigerated cargo compartment comprising:

a cargo compartment;

a refrigeration unit comprising:

an evaporator;

a defrosting heater configured to defrost the evaporator; and

the cargo detection system of any of claims 1-6, secured to the refrigeration unit, comprising a cargo sensor;

11. The refrigerated cargo compartment of claim 10, wherein the cargo sensor is disposed between the defrost heater and a roof of the cargo compartment.